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Alcohol dependence can develop for many different reasons, and no two people’s experiences are exactly the same.
For someone who is alcohol dependent, drinking is often no longer about enjoyment. Alcohol may be needed simply to feel normal. Without it, a person can experience physical and emotional distress, and drinking may temporarily relieve those feelings.
The good news is that dependence does not have to be permanent. Many people reduce or stop drinking and eventually no longer need alcohol to function or feel well. However, if you are alcohol dependent, it is important not to suddenly stop or dramatically reduce your alcohol intake without medical consultation. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening.
To better understand alcohol dependence, it can be helpful to look at some potential contributing factors.
Alcohol Dependence does not usually develop because of one single cause. Genetics, stress, trauma, mental health, social environments, drinking patterns and the effects of alcohol on the brain can interact in different ways. Understanding these factors can help explain why one person’s relationship with alcohol may look very different from another’s.
Thousands of years ago, humans lived in a world of feast or famine. Food was not always available, so when it was, our bodies encouraged us to eat enough to survive future shortages. Sweet foods were especially valuable because they provided a quick source of energy.
While the world has changed dramatically, some of those survival mechanisms remain. Today, food is abundant, but our brains still seek out things that feel rewarding and pleasurable.
Alcohol can activate the brain’s reward system, producing effects that the brain may learn to associate with pleasure, relief or relaxation. With repeated drinking, these associations can become increasingly powerful, particularly when alcohol is connected with certain people, places, emotions or routines.
For some people, repeated heavy drinking can gradually contribute to changes in reward, stress and habit systems that make alcohol increasingly difficult to control.
Humans have always relied on social connection. In earlier times, belonging to the tribe was essential for survival. Today, our need for connection and acceptance remains strong.
Because alcohol is often embedded in social situations, people may feel pressure to drink to fit in, even when they would prefer not to. For some people, this can create tension between drinking to feel included and choosing not to drink when alcohol is treated as an expected part of socialising.
Social pressure alone does not cause Alcohol Dependence, but a person’s environment and repeated drinking patterns can form part of a broader combination of risk factors.
At the same time, alcohol is heavily woven into Australian culture.
Alcohol is big business in Australia, generating billions of corporate and government revenue and annually spends more than $100 million (that’s $100,000,000) on marketing and promotion.
We see alcohol advertising during sporting events, celebrations, holidays, family gatherings and social occasions. From an early age, many people absorb the message that alcohol is a normal and expected part of life.
We are often told that we deserve a drink after a difficult day, should celebrate with a drink after a good day, or should drink to mark birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other milestones. Even during times of grief, alcohol is frequently presented as part of the social ritual.
When alcohol is everywhere, dependence can develop gradually and sometimes without a person recognising it. If heavy drinking is common among the people around us, it can begin to seem normal.
Starting to drink at a younger age is associated with a greater risk of developing Alcohol Dependence or other alcohol related problems later in life, although many other genetic, psychological and environmental factors also influence risk.
Many people use alcohol to cope with anxiety, depression, stress or emotional pain. While alcohol may provide temporary relief, it does not resolve the underlying issue. Once the alcohol wears off, those feelings often return.
Alcohol can also disrupt sleep. Although alcohol may make some people feel sleepy or fall asleep faster, it can disrupt sleep quality and normal sleep patterns. Poor sleep can then affect mood, stress and overall wellbeing, creating another reason someone may be tempted to use alcohol for temporary relief.
When we experience physical pain, we are encouraged to seek treatment and relief. Most people would also prefer to avoid emotional pain, and for some, alcohol becomes the pain relief of choice.
The challenge is that alcohol only numbs emotional pain temporarily. The underlying issues often remain and may even worsen over time.
As tolerance develops, more alcohol is needed to achieve the same effect. One drink may become two, then three, and eventually much more. What began as a way to cope can gradually develop into dependence.
When a dependent person tries to reduce their drinking, they may not only experience the return of emotional pain but also alcohol withdrawal symptoms. As a result, alcohol can start to feel necessary just to get through the day or feel normal.
The factors behind Alcohol Dependence often overlap. Genetics may increase vulnerability, while stress, trauma, mental health challenges, social environments and repeated drinking can influence how that vulnerability develops over time.
Alcohol Dependence is rarely about alcohol alone.
Behind every dependence is a person. Behind every person is a story.
Understanding those stories with compassion rather than judgement is an important part of supporting recovery. Alcohol dependence is treatable, and professional support can help people find an approach that is appropriate for their circumstances.
